To Oz and Back: A Bones & the Duchess Mystery (Bones and the Duchess Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Alexandra Eden (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: Bones and the Duchess Mysteries

As the first in this endearing series of juvenile mysteries, Alexandra Eden introduces ex-policeman-turned-detective Bones Fatzinger, and clever twelve year old Verity (Duchess) Buscador—a unique pair of crime solvers. They tackle their first case of two twelve year-old best friends, Wanda and Arvilla, who have disappeared. Together Bones and Duchess attempt to decode jumbled messages written by the two girls before they vanished. Verity may have Asperger’s Syndrome (an autism ‘lite’), but her wisdom surpasses her fellow twelve year olds, and perhaps even some adults on the case. Follow this team of private investigators on their journey through a fictitious Oz.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-A lumbering, kindhearted ex-cop and an intelligent 12-year-old with Asperger's syndrome are the unlikely detective team in this first installment in a new series. When the daughter of a rich family goes missing, followed two days later by her friend, James Allen "Bones" Fatzinger decides to become a private investigator to help pay for his room and board at the Broad Street Hotel. Verity Buscador, the granddaughter of the hotel proprietors, is determined to help. At first, Bones thinks he is indulging Verity, whom he calls "the duchess," by allowing her to work with him, but when she and a friend discover a series of clues from notes written in code based on references to The Wizard of Oz, it is clear that the 12-year-olds are the true detectives. Bones slips in a number of explanations about Verity's illness, which often come across as well intentioned but didactic. Even more prevalent are the constant arch references to the ridiculousness of Verity getting the credit for solving the mystery. Bones's detective patter is humorous and light, and is the most engaging element of a mystery that ends too quickly and neatly. Different characters show promise of depth and interest, but the story allows little time in which to learn about them.
Farida S. Dowler, formerly at Bellevue Regional Library, WA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. The disappearance of two girls gives Bones Fatzinger, former police officer, an opportunity to show everyone that he still knows how to solve cases. It also might help him pay his rent. But he needs assistance from 12-year-old Verity Buscador and a computer whiz kid, who Bones calls Nerd. Yes, Bones mops things up, but it's the kids who really solve the case, thanks to Verity's persistence and Nerd's talent for breaking codes. There's a definite adult sensibility here: Bones narrates the story, and some of his remarks and his cryptic humor won't mean much to young readers. What's more, Eden's description of Asperger's syndrome ("sort of an autism 'lite'") seems just that--a description rather than a well-integrated story element. Some of the adult characters are nicely drawn, though, and kids will certainly have fun with the codes. Best suited to more extensive mystery collections. REVWR
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 153 pages
• Publisher: Allen A. Knoll Publishers; 1 edition (December 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888310227
• ISBN-13: 978-1888310221
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,207,900 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A great read!, November 7, 2003

By 

Rachel Newcombe - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Oz and Back: A Bones & the Duchess Mystery (Bones and the Duchess Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Bones Fatzinger is an ex-police officer kicked off the force for being too lenient with criminals. Left to live on a tight budget, he stays in the Broad Street Hotel, where he befriends the owner's granddaughter, 12-year-old Verity Buscador. ...

The story is narrated from the perspective of Bones, in a light-hearted and easy-to-read manner. Verity has Asperger's Syndrome, so interspersed throughout the text are subtle explanations of aspects of the condition, such as ritualistic behaviour and an inability to look people directly in the eyes. Each reference is explained with clarity, offering readers an extra bit of knowledge and, hopefully, understanding of the condition.

At the end of the book the codes are included for budding sleuths to unravel - a nice touch, and something I'm sure will be enjoyed.

The first in a promised series of Bones and the Duchess books, "To Oz and Back" is an enjoyable, entertaining and mysterious read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Cute Story, May 20, 2008

By 

Athalia Stoneback (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Oz and Back: A Bones & the Duchess Mystery (Bones and the Duchess Mysteries) (Hardcover)

To Oz and Back is a delightful story that's easy to read and helps bring some awareness of Asperger's Syndrome, which is a mild form of autism. One caveat, however, is that the author speaks only about the female protagonist's Asperger's Syndrome, so one who is not familiar with the condition shouldn't assume that all "Aspies" are the same way. This story is especially of interest for children from 7-14 and anyone who likes mysteries

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth The Journey: To Oz And Back, November 5, 2003

By 

Kevin Tipple (Plano, Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: To Oz and Back: A Bones & the Duchess Mystery (Bones and the Duchess Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Marketed for readers nine and up, this first offering in a planned series is a very enjoyable read. Both the children and adult characters are presented as being human with realistic problems and mannerisms. While some of the parents depicted as less than ideal, none are just over the top stupid as is so common these days in novels and the media. In this novel, no one talks down to another character, which is also a refreshing change of pace.

The novel is well written with plenty of clues to go along to help the reader decode the mystery. The Asperger's syndrome is handled well and with compassion. The Duchess has her limitations but at the same time, because of her situation she has unique talents that are celebrated in the novel. With more books on the way, if they are done as well, this should be a wonderful new series.